Cleveland nominated for Damian Martin Trophy

Adelaide 36ers swingman Antonius Cleveland has a chance to go back-to-back this season after being nominated for the Damian Martin Trophy.

The Damian Martin Trophy is awarded to the NBL’s Best Defensive Player, an award Cleveland won for Illawarra Hawks is NBL22.

The 198cm small forward is nominated again in NBL23 but will have to beat New Zealand big man Dererk Pardon and Melbourne United’s Shea Ili to claim a second gong.

Cleveland moved to the 36ers in the off-season on a two-year deal and head coach CJ Bruton has given his star import the big defensive assignments this season.

From NBL23 MVP candidate Bryce Cotton (Perth Wildcats), to Most Improved Player nominee Will McDowell-White (New Zealand) and Sixth Man of the Year hopeful Barry Brown Jnr (New Zealand), Cleveland has guarded them all to great effect.

Cleveland has single-handedly won games for the 36ers with his up tempo, intense defensive presence and has sparked his teammates in a number of games throughout the NBL23 season.

The award winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Melbourne on February 7.

2022-23 NBL Award Finalists

Andrew Gaze Trophy -  Most Valuable Player
Bryce Cotton (Perth)
Mitch Creek (SEM)
Xavier Cooks (Sydney)

Linsday Gaze Coach of the Year
Adam Forde (Cairns)
Chase Buford (Sydney)
Mody Maor (New Zealand)

Most Improved Player
Keanu Pinder (Cairns)
Sean Macdonald (Tasmania)
Will McDowell-White (New Zealand)

Sixth Man of the Year
Barry Brown Jr (New Zealand)
Rashard Kelly (Tasmania)
Tyler Johnson (Brisbane)

Damian Martin Trophy - Defensive Player of the Year
Antonius Cleveland (Adelaide)
Dererk Pardon (New Zealand)
Shea Ili (Melbourne)

Next Generation Award
Luke Travers (Perth)
Sam Froling (Illawarra)
Sam Waardenburg (Cairns)